I think after all the hype over the cuts that would come if last November's levy didn't pass, they're risking some voter fatigue. How many people will say, "Didn't we just pass one of these?"

Whether or not you agree with how school districts spend some or all of their money, please remember this: Ohio's school funding methods were FIRST ruled unconstitutional by the state supreme court TWELVE YEARS AGO, in 1997, and have been so ruled several times since. School districts are largely funded through a series of revolving levies which expire over time. Further, the amount of money received from each levy is CONSTANT (regardless of population or property value increases or yes, decreases, in each city) and is not adjusted for increased fixed or variable costs to which the school district is subject like the rest of us. Districts are basically forced by the flawed state funding system to put these levies (renewal or otherwise) on the ballots election cycle after election cycle as the ones voted on years (and in some cases decades ago) expire. Understandably, most people have no clue how school funding actually works, so I expect a rash of confused and angry comments here and in the Sentry.

This is a renewal, not a new money tax. Give the voters credit, we're smart enough to understand the difference. Voters may be feeling fatigued but those of us with children in the schools also realize the importance of keeping our schools at a level of excellence and are willing to pay for it.

My feelings are the same as that of our politicians running our government. They are elected officials who are suppose to put the interest of its constituents  first. Does that ever really happen? Instead they are hypocrites who speak out of both ends. They try to use scare tactics to obtain votes, and have no idea how to create and follow a budget. When are we going to learn to start putting people who have run a business and actually understand how to keep the books green.  That's the bottom line. It is truly a joke that this keeps happening year after year. The threat of cuts is all they have to scare people. We voted down SB5, which for the first time was going to actually going to put the interest of the people and the taxes they pay 1st. But of course the non educated masses voted it down and then wonder why we have to keep raising taxes and putting renewals and new levy's on the ballot each year.  Its quite simple. We need to put the right people in the right places. Not republicans and democrats. It's a business, when will we start running it that way? 

Melissa and Debbie,
"This is a renewal, not a new money tax. Give the voters credit, we're smart enough to understand the difference".
We're also smart enough to understand the difference between a passed 6.57 mill increase and an assessed 7.14 mill tax bill. I for one am disgusted with the way the Stow School System treats me as an unlimited line of credit. I have decided that I will NOT vote for any school funding that is not met by cuts that return the school system to a sustainable fiscal level. Stow taxpayers give this school system 50 million per year and they can't sustain themselves on that? That is not something that I will support. If Stow taxpayers reject this levy renewal it will send a clear, undeniable message to the Board, Administration and Employees of the school; You work for us, we do not exist to insure your support. DENY THIS LEVY.

Two NO votes from my household and if the Voters in Stow have good sense they will vote NO. How many voters thought that since their house value decreased by county appraisal that they would not see a tax increase even if they voted yes last levy? How they were fooled! Here is a novel idea for the School Board, budget for the money you know you will receive not for what you want based on a tax increase. Do not call a budget based on known income a decrease in services call it what it is, a balanced budget. Quit lying to the taxpayers. Stop the spending on programs that do not teach but only serve as social indoctrination and programming. Teach the children to live within their means as realty. Remember the often-used mantra “ Do It For The Children”. If you continue to espouse the philosophy that cash equals education then you will lead the children into poverty via debt their entire lives rather than financial success via real education. Oh, for those of you who continue the false philosophy that high community school taxes will equal high home values, stop telling and believing this lie. After 31 years as a Real Estate Agent I will tell you that it just is not so and is now a reason to devalue the sale price of your home.

Continued from above: The new economy will require an efficient and low tax rate in any community to sustain property values and any community that refuses to bend to the new economic reality will decline in property values as people locate elsewhere leaving behind homes rented to government supported tenants. Voters make your voice heard with your NO money vote, which is now the only way some politicians will learn and listen. I know this is a renewal but the last levy was not needed and this is the best way to get that money back. This is the only way we have as voters to introduce some sanity into the school funding mess or we will continue to destroy the value of home ownership. Remember your children will be faced with paying these school taxes when they meet the real world and you will protect their future by stopping this insane tax assault on home ownership.

I feel similarly. Having graduated in 2006 from Stow I know that much can be done to implement better budgeting and to increase efficiencies in the schools. I understand that this is a renewal bill, which is fine, but am against any further support levies. Since I started highschool 10 years ago they have been putting levies on the ballots in order to get more funding and they have threatened and implemented pay-to-play sports, pay-to-participate clubs, busing, and cutback on paper. In other words, these threats steer students from being active and developing skills whether in athletics or community involvement (key club etc.). And paper? Really... Stow has a head principal, a principal for each grade level, AND a guidance counselor for each grade level. In my experience the grade principals do very little where as the counselors are the go-to people for pretty much everything. There are different ways to cut back and save in the schools so that levies are not needed and the so-called "level of excellence" is not at risk. In my experience, no matter what passes or does not pass, there will probably be another levy begging for money for stow schools within the year and surely they will come up with some sort of threat of what will be at risk if it does not pass. For this reason I will be voting NO to the renewal levy. Stow schools aren't that "excellent" if they can't pull their educated officials together enough to get efficient and budget properly.

I absolutely love when stories pop up about levies because it brings out the same stupidity -- in both comments and people. Never short of the same accusations, but ALWAYS short (non-existent) on proof.

How many of you have shown your "disgust" towards elected state officials (majority Republicans) since 1997? And, if one needs to explain "why 1997?", then that just further highlights the usual ignorance and/or stupidity.